Land-leveling and scarifying apparatus



Jan. 25, 1955 R. c. HIGLEY LAND-LEVELING AND SCARIFYING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 20. 1947 ATTOR N EY Jan. 25, 1955 R.c. HIGLEY 2,700,234

LAND-LEVELING AND SCARIFYING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 20. 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 2 B .GHJGLEY ATTORNEYS United States Patent LAND-LEVELINGSCARIFYING 'ARPARATUS Rolland C. Higley, Tucumcari, N. Mex.

Original application danuary 20, 1947, Serial No. 722,999. Divided andthis application January '14, 1949, Serial No. 70,991

17 Claims. (Cl. 37- 145) This invention relates to a land-leveling andscarifying apparatus and is'a division of my co-pending applicationSerial No. 722,999, filed January 20, 1947.

In my co-pending application referred to, I have disclosed a novel landplane whereby ground may be leveled to remove irregularities in thesurface 'of the ground, and particularly farm lands, to facilitatefarming, to minimize erosion, etc. Such apparatus comprises a novel typeof frame adapted to be-pulled behind .atractor and provided with aplaning'de-vice movableover the-ground to cut off high spots in theground and to leave dirt in low spots as the leveling blade passesthereover, and the frame is so adjustable as'to vary the depth of thecut-and to swing the planing device entirely out of contact with theground, when not in .use.

in many uses of the apparatus, relatively hard ground is encountered,which renders .it quite idiflicult for ,the planing device to slice offthe tops of highplaces, and .it is an important object of the presentinvention to .combine with the planing device 'a novel :type ofscarifierfor breaking up the ground :ahead of the planing .device to facilitatethe operation ofthelatter.

A further object is to utilize the same'novelsupporting frame for theplaning'deviceand for the scarifier and to employ the same means forraising and lowering these devices relative to the surface .oftheJground.

A further object isto provide a novel. supportingiwframe for both theplaning .device and the 'scarifying device which is supported at rthreepoints in its travel'over the ground to substantially eliminate lateraltilting of the operating devices incident to the passing of the frontsupporting means over the ground.

Other objects 'and'advantages-of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following description.

in the drawings I have shownone embodiment of the invention. In thisshowing:

Figure l is a side elevationtof the apparatus,

Figure 2 is aplan viewof thesame,:parts.being broken away,

Figure 3 is a front elevation .ofithe apparatus,

Figure 4- is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view on line 44 ofFigure Land Figure 5 is a detail perspective .view of :the forwardsupporting elements for the apparatus and associated elements, the partsbeing shown separated.

For a complete understanding of the operation of the apparatus, theentire structure is described together with its operation. :It will be"understood that :the planing device per -se and in combination with thesupporting frame, etc., are claimed in my co-pending application andthat the present application relates to the 'scari'ifying means,therelation of such means tothe supporting structure therefor,acombina't'ionof the scar'ifying and'leveling means with each other andwith the supporting frame structure, etc.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral'i fl designates the supportingframe of the apparatus as awhole. This frame comprises lower parallellongitudinally extending frame members i121 'which arepreferablyrtubular in form, and these members 'are connected at theirforward ends by areIativelyheavy tubulartcross member 12 preferablywelded to the members 11. The Jlongitudinal frame members 11 areconnected by -.transverse braces 15, '16 and .17, these braces alsopreferably be ilnlg tubular and welded at .theirends .to the sidemembers "ice and any additional bracing which appears advisable, such asdiagonal braces .23 and 24, a supplemental vertical brace .25 and asupplemental angle brace 26.

Adjacent the rear'end of each longitudinal frame member 11 is arrangedavertical post 28, and the upper ends of these posts are connected by atransverse brace 29. Each vpost28 is braced with respect to the adjacenttruss mem- .ber .20 as at 30. A supporting block 32 is secured to eachpost 28 by -U-bolts 33, and each block 32 carries an axle 34 rotatablysupporting a wheel 35. These wheels are widely spaced as indicated inFigures 2 and 3, and preferably are arranged adjacent the side framemembers 11.

The forward cross member 12 is provided with forwardly and upwardlyextending cars 38 and to the centralears is pivotally connected as at 39a normally upwardly and forwardly extending supporting memberillpreferably of -I-beam section. This beam is provided with rearwardlydiverging brace members 41 welded at their for-ward ends to the web ofthe member 40 rand :pivotally connected at their rear ends as at 42 tothe cars 38. The supporting structure comprising the elements 40 and 41accordingly supports the forward .end of the frame 10, and the parts arenormally arranged-in the relative positions shown in Figure 1 :duringthe operation of'the apparatus, as 'will'become apparent.

The forward end of the supporting member is provided with heavy sideplates 45 welded thereto and extending on opposite sides of and weldedto a heavy supporting post 46, also preferably formed of I-beam section.The lower end of-the post 46 (Figure 5) is;prov-ided with a foot 4-7preferably welded thereto and provided with .depending ears 4% apertured.as at 49 to receive a relatively heavy pivot pin 50. The ears 48straddle a universal block 52 .apertured transversely of the apparatusas at 53 .-to receive the pivot pin :50 and having its lower sidearcuately curved, as at 54.

The load onthe post 46 is supportedby a :heavy king ,pin 55 havingaheavy disc 56 at its upper end provided with ears 57 :having apertures58 adapted .to :receive a heavy pivot pin 59. This pin is also receivedin anap- .erture 60 in the universal block 52.

The king pin 55 is mounted in an axle structure L62 carrying wheels 63at its opposite ends. The axle 62 carries a forwardly extending drafttongue '64 adapted for connection @by a bolt 65 with a tractor or otherdraft apparatus for pulling the mechanism over the ground,

the lower curved side 54 of-the'block 552'perrnitting lateral swingingmovement of the disc 56 'therearound.

The apexes of the truss members 20 are connected by watransverse brace70 (Figures 12 and 3) and a forwardly and upwardly extending relativelylong arm 71 :is welded at its rear end to the brace 70substantiallycentrally thereof. This arm has its-forward portion rigidlyfixed with respect to the frame 10 by a pair of inverted V- shapedsupports '72 and 73, the former of which 'is welded atits lower ends tothe cross member 312 and the latter of which'is :welded at itsends'tothe crossbrace 1'5. 'The forwardend of the member 71 .is slotted .toreceive .a 'heavy plate 74 'weldedto the member 71.

,A .boom 76 is carried by the load supporting member 40. This boomcomprises an arm 77 welded at its forward end to themember 4tland abrace 78 welded to the member 40 adjacent the lower end thereof. Thefree ends of the members '77 and 78 are secured to each other, and linkmeans 79 is pivoted as at .80 to -.the

joined ends of the members 77 and 78. Apairof pulley is also connectedto the lower end of a chain 87, the upper end of which passes through akey hole slot 88 in the plate 74. This slot is of the conventional typefor engaging chains and need not be referred to or illustrated indetail. It will be apparent that the chain 87 limits downward movementof the member 76 relative to the plate 74, and this downward limit ofmovement may be adjusted by hooking selected links of the chain 87 inthe key hole slot 88.

The post 46 is provided at its upper end with a head 90 projectingforwardly thereof and provided with depending ears 91 to which a pulleyblock 92 is pivoted as at 93. The other end of the cable 85 passesaround the pulley of the block 92, thence downwardly around a pulley 94carried by the post 46 near its lower end, and then extends forwardlyfor connection with a suitable winch (not shown) carried by the tractorto which the apparatus is connected.

A land planing element indicated as a whole by the numeral 100 iscarried by the apparatus intermediate the ends thereof. The element 100comprises side walls 101 lying adjacent the side frame members andconnected at their rear edges by a rear arcuate wall 102 the lower edge103 of which (Figure 3) extends below the bottom of the side walls 101.It will be noted that the element 100 has no bottom wall and operatesforwardly over the ground to scrape dirt from the high places and pocketit between the side walls 101 and forwardly of the wall 102 so that thedirt thus pocketed is free for deposit in any low points over which theapparatus moves. The side walls 101 are rigidly fixed to the frame ofthe apparatus by U-bolts 104 extending around the vertical braces 21 andand having nuts 105 threaded on their inner ends.

The apparatus may be used solely with the land planing element 100.However, it is preferably employed in conjunction with a scarifierarranged forwardly of the element 100, and may be used with a furrowerfollowing the element 100. The scarifier and furrower are indicated as awhole respectively by the numerals 108 and 109, and since they may beidentical in construction, only one need be referred to in detail. Eachof these units, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises preferably a pairof transverse bars 110 each of which is provided with downwardlyextending curved cutter teeth 111, the teeth of the two bars 110preferably being staggered relative to each other. The bars 110 arecarried by side members 112 which may be braced relative to the bars 110as at 113. The forward ends of the side members 112 are pivoted as at114 to plates 115 carried by the side frame members 10. Each of the sidemembers 112 is engageable with an angle bracket 116 adjustably fixedilwlith respect to the adjacent vertical braces 22 by U-bolts Means isprovided for swinging the scarifying and furcable 118, and the cableassociated with the furrowing,

unit passes upwardly and forwardly and thence around a pulley 119carried by a central upstanding post 120 secured at its lower end to thecross brace 70. The for- The apparatus normally operates with the partssubstantially in the position shown in Figure l. The scarifier 108functions to cut through the surface of the ground and thus loosens thesoil to facilitate the planing action of the cutting edge 103. The soilcut by such edge gathers within the side walls 101 and rear wall 102 andsince the planing element 100 is bottomless, the rear wall 102 merelypushes the dirt over the ground in contact therewith as the apparatusmoves forwardly.

The cutting edge 103 is vertically adjusted by clamping the bolts 104 inthe desired position. The relatively raised places on the surface of theground will be planed off and as the dirt accumulates within the planingdevice 100, it tends to slide downwardly and forwardly from the upperend of the wall 102. The capacity of the device 100 is substantial andafter a comparatively short operation of the device an adequate quantityof dirt will be retained therein to fill in any low spots over whichtheapparatus moves. It will be apparent that as such spots are reached,the dirt within the device merely settles down into the low spots and issliced off by the cutting edge 103 at the same level as the groundpreviously passed over. Thus the apparatus operates to cut off thesurface of the ground wherever there are rises therein and to depositthe dirt in the low areas to thus effectively level off the ground toprepare it for farming, to prevent or minimize erosion, etc. The actionof the device is particularly effective over relatively flat land aswill be apparent.

To better prepare the soil for farming, the furrower 109 is preferablyemployed, thus minimizing the amount of labor which must be expendedlater in preparing the :ground for planting. While the apparatus isprimarily a ground planer, it will be apparent, therefore, that it maybe used in conjunction with other land working tools. Regardless of theuse of the furrower, it is preferred that the scarifier be employed tobreak up the surface of the ground and thus permit the planing device100 to operate with a minimum expenditure of power.

It will be noted that the wheels 35 at the rear of the apparatus arerelatively widely spaced but lie within the transverse limits of theplaning device 100. The wheels 35, following behind the planing device,accordingly operate over relatively level ground and stabilize theplaning device as to its lateral position, maintaining it quiteaccurately in horizontal position to prevent one or the other of theends of the planing device from digging too deep into the ground.

The wheels 63 at the forward end of the apparatus are relatively closelypositioned, as shown in Figure 2, and thus the wheels 35 do not trackbehind the wheels 63. Attention is invited to the universal supportingof the lower end of the post 46 relative to the axle 62. This providesthe highly advantageous result of permitting the widely spaced rearwheels 35 to hold the planing device 100 level regardless of theangularity of the axle 62.

In this connection, it is pointed out that the rear wheels 35 travelover planed ground while the wheels 63 precede the planing device overthe ground and thus are more subject to variation in their relativevertical positions in passing over ridges, hollows, etc., in thesurfaces of the ground. Assuming that one Wheel 63 drops into a ridge,furrow or the like, the axle 62 will immediately assume an angularposition which may be substantial. The universal connection of the post46 with the axle 62, as shown in Figure 5, however, permits the post 46to remain in a vertical plane without transmitting any twisting forcesto the frame 10 and associated parts. Accordingly the cutting edge 103of the planing device remains almost exactly horizontal at all times.

Inasmuch as the planing edge 103 is arranged much closer to the rearwheels 35 than to the front wheels 63, variations in the verticalpositions of the wheels 63 are reflected in a much shorter verticalmovement of the cutting edge 103. For example, assuming that one of thewheels 63 should drop into a hole 10 inches deep, the center of the axle62 will drop downwardly 5 inches. With the proportioning of the parts asshown, and as used in actual practice, this will result in a verticalmovernent of the cutting edge 103 by only about 2 inches. However, it isalso pointed out that the frame of the apparatus lies relatively closeto the ground and a substantial drop in the position of the universalconnection in Figure 5 incident to the dropping of one of the frontwheels into a hole or ridge will result in the contacting of the forwardend of the frame 10 with the ground 20 to limit downward movement of thecutting edge 103. Under such conditions, the frame 10 acts as a skid andin the preferred operation of the apparatus any downward movement of thecutting edge 103 is limited to about 1 inch. Under all conditions,therefore, the apparatus operates with remarkable accuracy in smoothlyplaning the ground.

The adjustment of the parts, of course, will depend largely upon thenature of the ground being leveled. The planing device 100 is verticallyadjustable by means of the U-bolts 104, as stated. The scarifier andfurrower also are vertically adjustable by loosening the U-bolts 117 andraising and lowering the angle brackets 116 (Figure 4).

In moving the apparatus to and from a field of operation, the front endof the frame 10 and associated elements are elevated. A suitableWindlass (not shown) on ground.

ame

the tractor .is operated to windvthe forward .end of the "41 and arms 77and '78. Since the entire load of the forward end of the frame .issupported by the pivot pins 39 and 42 (Figures .1 and 2) it will'heapparent that this entire rigid structure will be swung forwardly aboutthe axis of the pivot .pin 50 (Figure '5) .the post 46 movingsubstantially to a verticalpositionand elevating the forward end ofthe'frame 10 and associated elements a substantial distance.

With the post 46 swung to a. substantially vertical position, theelevation of the forward .end vof the frame 1.0 will be more thansufficient to move .the .cutting edge .103 to a position several inchesabove the surface of the ground. At the same time .that this operationtakes place, it will be notedthat the swinging of the post 4-6 forwardlyexerts a pull on thecables 11S, and accordingly the scarifier andfurrower will be swung upwardly about their pivots 114 to be held .bythe cables 118 wholly above the surface-of the ground. The apparatus canthen be transported by the tractor to andflrrom its site of operationwithout contact of the working tools with the ground.

From the foregoing it will be apparent thatthe present apparatus ishighly suited for .erricient use in leveling uneven ground, the planingdevice 101), with the parts properly ad usted, accumulating dirt thereinand pocketmg a substantial amount of dirt ready for use vin filling inany low spots encountered-over the surface of the The higher areas areplaned off by the cutting edge MP3. The wide spacing of the wheels 35without extending them beyond the transverse limits of the planingdevice provides an arrangement whereby the cutting or planing deviceremains in horizontal position.

The wheels 35 always run over planed ground and thus remainsubstantially at the same .level. Any swinging movement of the axle 63is prevented from being transmitted to the earth working tools by meansof the universal connection shown in Figure 5.

it also will be apparent that the present apparatus provides novel meansoperable through the single control cable 85 for rendering the apparatusoperative or inoperative regardless of the number of tools carried bythe frame it). The raising .of1the forward end of the frame directlylifts the cutting edge 103 outof contact with the ground, while theforward swinging of the post 46 simultaneously and automatically swingsupwardly to operative position any working tools other-than the planingdevice 10% which are carried bythe frame. The apparatus has been foundso efficient in operation that it not only performs its work with a highdegree of accuracy but permits a'much greater area of ground to beplaned in a given length of time than can be done with mechanisms of asimilar character.

1 claim:

1. A land planing apparatus comprising a horizontal frame having forwardand rear'ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of'said frame,universal supporting means for the forward end of said frame, a-cuttingdevice fixed to said frame substantially tr-ansversely' thereof andcomprising a rear wall having a lower cutting edge and side wallsextending forwardly from the ends of said rear walls and spaced apart--a distance greater than the spacing of said supporting wheels, saidrear and side walls being-of substantial depth, and aiscarifier carriedby said frame forwardly ofsaid planin'g device and comprising dependingteeth engageable .with the ,ground to scarify and loosen it .aheadof*said cutting edge, the forward end of said frame being disposed inclose proximity to the ground whereby when said universal supportingmeans drops a predetermined amount due to unevenness of the ground theforward end'of -,said frame will engage the ground and act as a skid tolimit theeutting depths of said cutting device and saidscarifier.

,2. A land planing apparatus comprising -a frame having forward and rearends and including ,a cross bar at the forward end normally spaced abovethe .ground level, relatively widely spaced supporting wheels at therear end of said frame, universal supporting means for .the forward endof said frame centrally of the width thereof, said wheels andsaiduniversal supporting means supporting said frame .for movement cover the,ground --.in,relatively close proximitythereto, ailand planingdeviceucarrieid by said frame and comprising arear wall having.a.'lower,horizontal cutting edge and "side walls adjacent the ends of-s,aid.rear wall, the bottom .of said device being open for the .directmovement over the ground of earth cutby said cutting .edge and pocketedwithin said device, and a scarifier carried by said frame forwardly ofsaid planing device and comprising dep nding teeth engageable withtheground to scarify and loosen it ahead of said cutting edge, said forwardcross bar being constructed and arranged to engage the ground incidentto variations in .the vertical position of said universal supportingmeansdue to unevenness of the ground to limit downward movement oftheforwa-rd end of said frame and'thus of said land planing device.

3. A .landplaning apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward-and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels'for the rearend of saidframe, universal supporting means for the forward end of said frame,acutting device fixed to said frame and comprising a .rear wall having alowercutting edge and side walls spaced apart va distance greater thanthe spacing of said supporting wheels, means pivotally connecting saidframe to said universal supporting means, a cable associated with saidconnecting -means and adapted to be pulled'to elevate the forward end ofsaid frame relative to said universal supporting means, a :scarifier.carried by said frame forwardly ofisaid planing device and comprisingdepending teeth engageable with the ground to scarify and loosenvit-ahead ,of said cuttingedge, and means connecting said lscarifier tosaid connecting means-to elevate said scarifier relative to .said frameupon elevation of the forward end of said frame.

4. A land planing apparatus comprising a frame having forward and rearends and-including a cross bar at the forward end,,relatively widelyspaced supporting wheels at the-rear end ofsaid frame, universalsupporting means for the forward end of said frame centrally of thewidth thereof, said wheels and said universal supporting meanssupporting said frame formovement over'the ground in relatively closeproximity thereto and said forward cross bar limiting downward movementof the forward end rof ,saidframe incident to variations in the vertical,posi- 'tion of said universal supporting means, a land planing devicecarried by said frame and comprising a rear wall having a lowerhorizontal cutting edge and side walls, the bottom of said device beingopen for the-directmovemerit over the ground of earth cut by saidcuttingedge and pocketed within said device, means pivotally connectingsaid frame to said universal supporting means, a cable associated with.said connecting means .and adapted -.tobe pulled to elevate the forwardend of said frame relative to said universal supporting .means, ascarifier carried by said "frameforwardly of said planing device andcomprising depending teeth engageable with the ground to scarify andloosen it ahead of said cutting edge, and means connecting said,scarifier to said connecting means to elevate said .scarifierrelativeto said frame upon elevation of the forward end of said frame.

5. A landplaning-apparatus comprisinga frame. having forward and rearends, relatively widely spacedsupport- "ing whee'lsfor the rear end ofsaid frame, apair of relatively closely arranged wheelsrforwardly ofsaid .frame, connecting means between the forward end of. saidframe andsaid forward Wheels comprising a universal connection whereby saidforward wheels are laterally .tiltable without communicating tiltingmovement to said frame, means pivotally connecting said connecting meansto said frame, a boom, and block and tackle means between said boom andthe forward part of said frame for :exerting a pull on said boom toswing it and vertically lift the pivotal connection between saidconnectingmeans and said frame to elevate the latter, a cutting .devicefixedto .saidframe intermediate the ends thereof and comprising a rear"wall' having a lower cutting edge and'side walls adjacent the ends ofsaid .rear wall and spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing ofsaid rear supporting wheels, the ,bottom of said device being open forthe direct movement over the ground of earth cut .by said .cutting edgeand pocketed within said device, and a .slcarifier carried by said frameforwardly of said cutting evice.

6. .A land planing apparatus comprising .a framehaving forward. andrearends, relatively widely spaced supportjiing wheels for the :rear .endhfv said frame, a pair of relatively closely arranged wheels forwardlyof said frame, connecting means between the forward end of said frameand said forward wheels comprising a universal connection whereby saidforward wheels are laterally tiltable without communicating tiltingmovement to said frame, means pivotally connecting said connecting meansto said frame, a boom, and block and tackle means between said boom andthe forward part of said frame for exerting a pull on said boom to swingit and vertically lift the pivotal connection between said connectingmeans and said frame to elevate the latter, a cutting device fixed tosaid frame intermediate the ends thereof and comprising a rear wallhaving a lower cutting edge and side walls spaced apart a distancegreater than the spacing of said rear supporting wheels, a scarifierpivotally connected to said frame forwardly of said cutting device, andmeans connecting said scarifier to said connecting means to swing saidscarifier upwardly upon swinging movement of said boom.

7. A land planing apparatus comprising a frame having forward and rearends, relatively widely spaced supporting wheels for the rear end ofsaid frame, a pair of relatively closely arranged wheels forwardly ofsaid frame, an axle connecting said last named wheels, a universal jointconnected to said axle centrally thereof, a normally upwardly andrearwardly extending post connected at its lower end to said universaljoint, means including a pivotal connection between said post and theforward end of said frame to support the latter relative to said post,and means including a pulley and cable device for exerting a forcebetween said frame and said post for swinging the latter upwardly andforwardly to elevate said pivotal connection together with the forwardend of said frame, a cutting device fixed to said frame intermediate theends thereof and comprising a rear wall having a lower cutting edge andside walls spaced apart a distance greater than the spacing of said rearsupporting wheels, a scarifier arranged forwardly of said cuttingdevice, means for pivotally supporting the forward end of said scarifierrelative to said frame, means for limiting movement of the rear end ofsaid scarifier, and a flexible element connecting the rear end of saidscarifier to said post whereby swinging movement of the latter willelevate the rear end of said scarifier.

8. A land leveling apparatus comprising a supporting frame havingforward and rear ends, means for supporting said frame for movement overthe ground, a cutting blade fixed to said frame and having asubstantially horizontal lower cutting edge, a scarifier carried by saidframe forwardly of said cutting device, means for r elevating theforward end of said frame relative to said supporting means to lift saidplaning device and said scarifier out of engagement with the ground, andmeans operable by said elevating means for simultaneously effectingfurther lifting of said scarifier with respect to said frame.

9. A land leveling apparatus comprising a supporting frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, means for supporting the forward end of said frame for movementover the ground, a land planing device fixed to said frame and extendingtransversely thereof at a point remote from the forward end of saidframe, a scarifier carried by said frame forwardly of said planingdevice, means for elevating the forward end of said frame relative tosaid supporting means to lift said planing device and said scarifier outof engagement with the ground, and means operable by said elevatingmeans for simultaneously effecting further lifting of said scarifierwith respect to said frame.

10. A land leveling apparatus comprising a supporting frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, means for supporting the forward end of said frame for movementover the ground, a land planing device fixed to said frame and extendingtransversely thereof at a point remote from the forward end of saidframe, a scarifier carried by said frame forwardly of said planingdevice, means carried by said frame and vertically adjustable relativethereto to engage said scarifier and limit the depth of penetration ofsaid scarifier into the ground, means for elevating the forward end ofsaid frame relative to said supporting means therefor to lift saidplaning device and scarifier out of contact with the ground, and meansoperable by said elevating means for lifting said scarifier a greater 8distance upwardly than it would be moved by said frame when the forwardend thereof is moved upwardly by said elevating means.

11. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, means for supporting the forward end of said frame for movementover the ground, a land planing device carried by said frame andextending transversely thereof at a point remote from the forward end ofsaid frame, a scarifier frame having forward and rear ends the former ofwhich is pivotally connected to said frame, scarifying elements carriedby the rear end of said scarifier frame forwardly of said planingdevice, means carried by said supporting frame and vertically adjustablerelative thereto for limiting downward movement of the rear end of saidscarifier frame to limit the depth of penetration of said scarifyingelements into the ground, and separate means for swinging the rear endof said scarifier frame upwardly to lift said scarifying elements out ofcontact with the ground, the forward end of said frame being disposed inclose proximity to the ground whereby when said means for supportingsame drops a predetermined amount due to unevenness of the ground, saidforward end of the frame will engage the ground and act as a skid tolimit the cutting depths of said land planing device and said scarifyingelements.

12. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, means for supporting the forward end of said frame for movementover the ground, a land planing device carried by said frame andextending transversely thereof at a point remote from the forward end ofsaid frame, a scarifier frame having forward and rear ends the former ofwhich is pivotally connected to said frame, scarifying elements carriedby the rear end of said scarifier frame forwardly of said planingdevice, means carried by said supporting frame and vertically adjustablerelative thereto for limiting downward movement of the rear end of saidscarifier frame to limit the depth of penetration of said scarifyingelements into the ground, means for elevating the forward end of saidframe relative to said supporting means therefor to lift said planingdevice out of contact with the ground, and means operative uponoperation of said elevating means for swinging the rear end of saidscarifier frame upwardly to lift said scarifying elements out of contactwith the ground.

13. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, means for supporting the forward end of said frame for movementover the ground, a land planing device carried by said frame andextending transversely thereof at a point re mote from the forward endof said frame, a scarifier frame having forward and rear ends the formerof which is pivotally connected to said frame, scarifying elementscarried by the rear end of said scarifier frame forwardly of saidplaning device, means carried by said supporting frame and verticallyadjustable relative thereto for limiting downward movement of the rearend of said scarifier frame to limit the'depth of penetration of saidscarifying elements into the ground, means for effecting relativemovement between the forward end of said supporting frame and saidsupporting means therefor to elevate said planing device out ofengagement with the ground, and means connected between said supportingmeans for the forward end of said supporting frame and the rear end ofsaid scarifier frame for swinging the latter upwardly to lift saidscarifying elements out of contact with the ground upon said relativemovement between the forward end of said supporting frame and saidsupporting means therefor.

14. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, wheeled supporting means for the forward end of said frame,universal means connecting the forward end of said supporting frame tosaid wheeled supporting means, a planing device carried by saidsupporting frame and extending horizontally transversely thereof at apoint remote from the forward end of said frame, said planing devicehaving a horizontal lower cutting edge, a scarifier frame having forwardand rear ends mounted forwardly of said planing device, means pivotallyconnecting the forward end of said scarifier frame to said supportingframe, depending scarifying elements carried by the rear end of saidscarifier frame, vertically adjustable means carried by said supportingframe and engaging beneath the rear end of said scarifier frame to limitdownward movement of the latter and thus limit the depth of penetrationof said scarifying elements into the ground, means for swinging saidwheeled supporting means relative to the forward end of said supportingframe to lift said planing device from contact with the ground, andmeans comprising a cable having connection with said wheeled supportingmeans and the rear end of said scarifier frame to swing the latterupwardly and lift said scarifying elements out of engagement with theground upon said swinging of said wheeled supporting means.

15. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, wheeled supporting means for the forward end of said frame,universal means connecting the forward end of said supporting frame tosaid wheeled supporting means, a planing device carried by saidsupporting frame and extending horizontally transversely thereof at apoint remote from the forward end of said frame, said planing devicehaving a horizontal lower cutting edge, a pair of earth-work ing unitsarranged respectively forwardly and rearwardly of said planing device,each unit comprising a frame pivotally connected at its forward end tosaid supporting frame and provided at its rear end with dependingearthworking elements, means for swinging said wheeled supporting meansrelative to the forward end of said sup porting frame to elevate thelatter and lift said planing device out of engagement with the ground,and means operative upon such swinging of said wheeled support forsimultaneously raising the rear ends of the frames of said earth-workingunits.

16. A land leveling apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, spaced supporting wheels for the rear end of saidframe, wheeled supporting means for the forward end of said frame,universal means connecting the forward end of said supporting frame tosaid wheeled supporting means, a planing device carried by saidsupporting frame and extending horizontally transversely thereof at apoint remote from the forward end of said frame, said planing devicehaving a horizontal lower cutting edge, a pair of earth-working unitsarranged respectively forwardly and rearwardly of said planing device,each unit comprising a frame pivotally connected at its forward end tosaid supporting frame and provided at its rear end with dependingearth-working elements, means for swinging said wheeled supporting meansrelative to the forward end of said supporting frame to elevate thelatter and lift said planing device out of engagement with the ground,and a cable connected at its ends respectively to the rear ends of theframes of said units, said cable intermediate its ends being connectedto said wheeled supporting means whereby, upon relative movement betweensaid wheeled supporting means and the forward end of said supportingframe, said cable is pulled to lift the rear ends of the frames of saidunit.

17. A land working apparatus comprising a horizontal frame havingforward and rear ends, means for supporting said frame for movement overthe ground, an earthworking unit, means pivotally connecting the forwardend of said earth-working unit to said horizontal frame, earthworkingelements depending from the rear end of said unit, vertically adjustablestop means carried by said horizontal frame and engageable with the rearend of said unit to limit downward swinging movement thereof andpenetration of said elements into the ground, and means for swinging therear end of said unit upwardly away from said stop means to disengagesaid elements from the ground, the forward end of said frame beingdisposed in close proximity to the ground whereby when the framesupporting means move downwardly a predetermined amount due tounevenness of the ground the forward end of the frame will engage theground and act as a skid to limit penetration of said earth-workingelements thereinto.

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